Tag Archive for "Sloan" -

Use Vacation for Something Else

If you frequent the Holland Gazelle Sports you may have noticed that I haven’t been around to assist you in your Body Glide or shoe buying needs. I have moved on from the Gazelle team to embark on a new-post-grad life. However, I do still love to run and write so the great folks in administration at Gazelle have allowed me to continue blogging! (Can I get an AMEN?!)

I haven’t written in a while because I have been traveling. I’m currently in Long Island, NY but have been spending a lot of time in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, a few trips to Coney Island and the Bronx. While I’m on vacation I like to be able to not only relax and visit amigos but I want to taste the local faire and not feel guilty about indulging myself a little bit.

Overall I’m a fairly healthy eater, but I do love a slice a pizza, a burger and fries, perhaps even a Nathan’s Hotdog from the original hot dog stand on Coney Island, okay, maybe two of those, I had one at the Yankee game last night too. But my body still craves a good run or work out while I’m vacationing and overindulging myself. It’s hard to get in the same kind of run or work out I would get at home, but I can try and at least get moving with a couple miles under my feet.

My friend that I was staying with in Brooklyn pointed me and my running shoes South and told me to run until the brownstones got big and fabulous and then turn around and head back to his near-Chinatown neighborhood and that would give me a few miles for the morning. By the way, those big fabulous houses are, according to my friend, the present day Mafia—so as long as I wasn’t stepping on any toes in that ‘hood I should be fine.

Somehow running in a new neighborhood is exciting and exhilarating. I feel so free and aware of my surroundings when I pass by people and places I’ve never seen before, stores and coffee shops catch my attention and make me want to try them after my shower. So that’s what I do—take note of the cross streets, run home (literally) shower and get back out the door to try the Hong Kong Asian blended bubble tea with tapioca bubbles for $2.50! (Kinda weird, not sure if I actually liked it or just liked it because it was new to my taste buds.)

Summer time is a time for family vacations, travel and exploration. Use your time in a new place to discover something else! Take 30 minutes to yourself to run out your vacation craziness and find something great you wouldn’t have seen from the road via car/bus/family outing.

More to come on my Long Island backyard yoga session from yesterday and my nude beach experience that I’ll be having this afternoon!

21st July 2010

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Audition for something new.

Zack Morris was that guy that all the girls swooned for at Bayside High School. Kelly Kapowski was his hot cheerleader girlfriend, AC Slater was his partner in crime and Screech was the go-to scape-goat that got him in as much trouble as he got him out of. But WHO IS Zack Morris? Mark-Paul Gosselaar is the master-mind behind this great character. But where have you seen Zack—err I mean Mark-Paul since the crew went off to college and filmed Saved By The Bell: College Years?

The show began in 1989 and was a hit. I was only 2 years old when it began but I still think of Saved By The Bell as one of the shows I grew up watching years after the filming ended. I dreamed of sharing a milkshake with Zack at the Max after class, I wished I could hit the mall with Jessie and Lisa Turtle and cheer on the team with Kelly. I watched this show re-run after re-run and never realized that I was re-living what my 30-something year-old friends waited for new episodes for every week, though 10-years old, each episode was new to me.

Why am I writing about Zack Morris? Well, the fact that we all still refer to Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack is fact enough that he has clearly not been able to move on his image of the high school hot shot. He continued through his childhood stardom as Zack Morris and never branched out to act as another character in front of the camera. He didn’t strive to try a less deliciously attractive roll, he continued to be 16-year-old mischief maker Zack “Preppy” Morris.

Which is fiiiiiiine. If that’s what you’re into, he was good at it, I guess. But I wonder what would have happened if Mark-Paul had pushed his acting abilities a bit further and auditioned for a villainous roll—sitting in front of his mirror and training his laugh to sound evil, his smile into a vexing curl of the lip. Could he be evil to convince his audience of his abilities to go that extra mile as a true thespian?

Hmmm, training? Trying something new? Going the extra mile, extra few miles just to see how far we can go? I’ve run countless 5ks, a few trail races, a couple triathlons, River Bank 25K twice… yet I have not raced a 10K. Sure I’ve done the distance (6.2 miles) just as I’m sure Zack has played the roll of a dweeb in acting class, but never have a raced it. I’ve never asked my body to compete and push itself through the distance with hundreds of other runners all with a similar goal in mind.

This Saturday Gazelle Sports is putting on an awesome 10K race, Lakeshore Miracle Run. It’s going to be grueling, up the dunes, through the woods by the lake… sounds like the perfect time for me to try out a different running character. Join me while I try something new Saturday morning, who knows–maybe Zack will show up!

Oh yeah, and I met him last night…

8th July 2010

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Things You Learn in Kindergarten:

Remember that saying, “I learned everything I need to know in Kindergarten…”? Well, in the case of trying shoes I’m going to have to agree. At least that’s when I learned to tie my shoes. Maybe I didn’t tie them with the perfect expertise that I do now, but I had the basics down pretty well by the time first grade rolled around.

Today Class, we’re going to have a little lesson in tying our running shoes. You may be rolling your eyes thinking that this post is totally geared toward young young children, lazy Jr. High boys, awkward and annoyed teenage girls that only wear Ugg boots with no laces: but no, this is directed to many of my customers recently that put on a shoe, insist I don’t tie it for them, and YANK the laces — leaving a mess of string across the top of the foot and little lace left to tie the actual bow—and then complain there isn’t enough lace to double knot. This is a problem!

I will admit that I’m a bit crazy when it comes to tying my running shoes. Errr, well, when it comes to putting on my shoes I’m kinda picky: first, I must put my left shoe on, straighten the tongue then put the right shoe on and straighten the tongue. Then I go back to the left shoe and carefully tighten each rung of laces.

RUNG: what I consider a step in the tying process, to tighten one must pull each step on the way up to the two loose ends of the string. Each pull tightens the shoe and lengthens the end strings.

Finally, I tie the left shoe (double knot of course) and repeat on the right—if one side is feeling to lose or too tight I do in fact have to re-do the entire process. My point is, you don’t have to be as crazy perfectionist as I am when you tie your shoes, but do take care in tightening the shoe as a whole. Running shoes are meant to be laced up; not hastily thrown on and haphazardly tied around the ankle. You will get a better fit and overall feeling with the shoe. So if there is something not feeling great about your ride, look down before you turn your runners into garden shoes!

Here are some other tasty tips from our friends at Runner\’s World

27th June 2010

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To run, or not to run…

So I sit here, 7 am waiting. I can hear the clouds rumbling angerly outside my window as I pour my coffee and peel my banana. I sit in my front deck porch wondering what the weather is going to decide to do: rain now, hold off for a few hours, sprinkle and pass us by like a dandelion blowing in the wind. Whatever mother earth decides to do is going to determine when and how far and if I run this morning—I’ll wait it out for now, the lightning is beginning.

Don’t get me wrong, running in the rain can be liberating. As long as it’s warm, the wind isn’t blowing drops in your eyes blinding you, and you don’t mind getting wet. When out in the rain, it can be a powerful experience: mud splashing up on your calves, shirt drenched and sticking to your skin, water dripping from your chin…it’s great! Sometimes I pretend to be some sort of warrior Goddess running through the streets. But at what point do you need to come in from the storm and seek shelter? The last thing you want to do is put yourself in danger just to get some miles under your feet.

Some runners say, “there is no breaking point, I’ll run through anything.” Others opinions range from only running in dry weather, only running in light, warm rain, only running rain and thunder, no lightening, others believe that anything is fair game. I urge you to look at the weather before you hit the pavement, watch the radar over a cuppa joe and make sure you’re not going to get stuck in a down pour/hail storm/near flood 4 miles from your house trying to keep your I-pod dry and duck for cover in the darkness of 5am when the streets are virtually empty and there is no gas station near by to hide in… not that I have any experience in an event like this…

In other words, utilize your resources, don’t run in lightening, and every once and while bring out the tribal Goddess/God in you and run like a free-spirited kid through the light summer rain, you’ll like it—I promise!

23rd June 2010

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Need a buddy?

Like to run? Getting tired of listening to Lady Gaga, or Jock Jams on your I-pod? I totally understand. Running alone can get, well, lonesome. And not to mention that some of the best relationships are built over pounding out the miles while pounding out some of life’s hardest decisions with a good friend, (or someone that could become a good friend.)

Not everyone is surrounded by a family of runners, or friends that enjoy putting their body through what us runners love to do, sweat, spit and work hard. So this is why Gazelle Sports is starting a very casual, very un-intimidating, and very easy to join running group.

Here’s all the information you need:

-Begins July 6th at the HOLLAND STORE and continues every Tuesday there after (be there, or be square!)
-Oh yeah, Don’t be late: 5:45pm
-But if you are late it’s okay, we won’t judge, just come inside, grab a map from the cash wrap and get going on the prepared route.
-Don’t dehydrate: Gazelle will supply H2O and the route.

The rest is up to you. Meet some new people, don’t be afraid to talk to them, share some stories, try to solve world hunger and figure out the meaning of life. You are out there to inspire and motivate one another, be each others therapy on the fly** , each person is just as important as the next to keep the others going.

THEN when you’re done come back inside and tell me about it. Chances are if we’re not busy doing shoe fittings we’d love to hear how your run went, what races you’re preparing for and what you think we should do about the oil spill off the coast.

Runners are a community–a chatty community! Join it, create it, and love it! See ya on the road.

**Running is not to replace any therapy put in place by a Doctor, but any and all exercise helps.

16th June 2010

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What to do?

So I love running with a destination. A destination with a meal and a ride home is even better. So yesterday I was spending some time in Holland before work and needed to get a run in and have lunch with my Mother—why not run to the office I thought! Perfect! 5.22 miles according to mapping site, I headed out the door eager for lunch and good run.

Only in Holland would I get stopped by a train. I thought if I sprinted I could have made it past all the cars lined up, duck the gates and cut in front of the coal carrying monster, but no, my timing was off and I had 5 minutes (really, a 5 minute train, I timed it.) So what to do for 5 minutes? My route was a direct there, no alternate way to go.

All the time while I’m running or driving I see runners stuck at crosswalks, just standing there! This is a great time to utilize on your run and not meant to just be standing still.

Some ideas of what to do while you’re stuck waiting for traffic, be it car or train, consist of:

-Stretching (you KNOW you should be doing it, runners hate to do it, but remember the last time you stretched and how good it felt?)
-Running in place (you’ll be on your toes so you will get a great calf work-out, yes, you will look stupid, but not as stupid as a sweaty person just STANDING THERE.)
-Running in circles (not my style, but I used to run with a guy that did this. Make sure to mix up the direction so you don’t get too dizzy.)
-Exploring (change from your normal route. If traffic is really horrible just turn around. Though this may not be the best option for those of us that are directionally challenged.)
-Change the music on your I-pod and dance!

So, you may not ever get stuck behind a train for 5 minutes, (unless you’re running down James in Holland, in that case I recommend jogging in place or dancing for the cars that are waiting with you.) but do utilize the, every bit of every run can be put to work!

Happy running/stretching/circling/dancing!

28th May 2010

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It’s hot.
Its raining out.
I’m tired.
No one is around to go with.
It’s cold. (okay, not anymore.)
TV is far more entertaining.
None of my clothes are clean.
My sunburn hurts.
There are so many more productive things I could be doing.

What’s your excuse today? We all have a list build up of all the reasons we don’t feel like running. But when it comes down do it, how many of them are actually legitimate reasons? Part of being a runner is knowing how to make yourself get out there and run, even when a re-run of Seinfeld looks more interesting than the pavement ahead of you.
Think about your last really great run. Whether it was yesterday, or last week, or a month ago we all have one of those stored in memory too. Think about how you felt when you finished. Think about how good your post-run meal tasted. Think about how awesome the shower was after you stretched. Remember THAT feeling when you’re feeling THOSE other feelings about not wanting to run. Running is a lot of mental endurance too, you have to learn to play it’s game.
It’s not that you don’t want to run. It’s not that you don’t feel like running. You just had a minor lag in thought, you forgot what greatness can come with a great run. Today my battle is getting over the fact that my sunburned belly hurts and I don’t want to go because of that—but it hurt yesterday too, and it was hot yesterday, but I still ran. And the sweat dripping down my legs and into my socks was a gross yet satisfying feeling.

So remind yourself of yourself after your last great run, and get outside! Now! GO!!

25th May 2010

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You CAN do it

Everyday that I work I get to help people feel better when they run. They come in and out of the door, usually leave happy and (hopefully) I don’t see them again until they’ve put the allotted 500 miles on their new running shoes. If they come back earlier we do our best to find them something that helps them run happy again. I love this feeling of being able to encourage and inspire strangers to do something healthy for their bodies. However, they are customers and don’t really feel the need to come back and tell me how their running is going. So I rarely to do I get to see the progression, hear how they’re feeling though out the process, or get weekly updates on how they’re feeling.

Recently, my cousin embarked on a healthier life. She started run/walking about 9 months ago when she was 16. She started out in her crappy sneakers until she was sure she’d stick with it and I finally convinced her mother to buy her a good pair of shoes from an awesome running store. Her feet and body thanked her. And she powered through all winter long.

As the months progressed I would randomly get text messages reading something about the treadmill, or how it’s too cold to run outside: but she was still doing it she was putting miles under her feet. I would bug her when I’d see her at family events, asking when can we run together!? She wouldn’t do it, which made me sad, but I can understand—this was a personal battle and she wanted to get to a certain comfort level before she made it public.

A few months ago I got my favorite text: SLOAN! When are we going to run together? This made me ecstatic! YES! She’ll finally run with me!! A week ago I got an even better text: Who would have thought, I (SLOAN’S COUSIN) could run for 30 minutes straight, no stopping! She’s doing it, she’s excited about it. I thought, this is so great, my cousin is becoming a runner. Even though they were text messages I could sense her pride, and her excitement in what she was accomplishing.

Her and I have talked about running a lot since she began, “I really think running is more mental than physical,” almost a direct quote that I said when I first started running. (really , it’s on my facebook page!) And she’s right, like anything else, it’s about attitude and what you think you can do.

She never thought she could run. She didn’t think she could run for as long as she does and ENJOY it. That is until she starting trying and working at it and that’s when everything fell into place. She’s now caught the fever and is encouraging other people in her life to start running and walking. The process of watching her progress has been so inspiring and amazing to be a part of. Congrats Cuz!!! Keep doing what you’re doing! I’m so proud!

I love to hear success stories of runners, come in and tell us your stories, post them here, ask us about ours: everyone has a story you just have to ask.

18th May 2010

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Why Why Why?

The week leading up to a big race is always the worst. I, for one, am constantly checking the weather, trying to figure out what I’m going to wear, what time to arrive, if I’m going to have a support crew (thanks Dad!) and what time is my goal time. The DAY leading up to a race is worse. Especially working at the store with customers who have all the same concerns that I do, and they expect me to have the answers.

I think I pulled up weather.com at work every 15 minutes on Friday in hopes of it changing. The forecast for Saturday’s Fifth Third River Bank Run didn’t change: high of 42, windy and rain. Cold, wet, gusty—perfect. Thoughts of ditching the race and just enjoying a weekend with my Dad crossed my mind more than once, then I felt wimpy when runners would come into the store buying new gear for the pending storm, preparing for anything and everything, I had to do it, 15.5 miles is what I trained all winter for.

I got out of work with a super negative attitude: my feet hurt, I was tired, the weather was going to suck. But I knew if I was going to finish what I had started in January my outlook had to change. I got home, took a shower and headed to the expo. Seeing the runners, vendors and volunteers changed my outlook and pumped me up for the race. I spent a relaxing evening with my Papa, tossed and turned all night, woke up 45 minutes before my alarm to a rumbling sky and made a pot of coffee. I was ready.

Every time I race ask myself why I do it. Why do I stand in a corral with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of other runners? I can go out and run the distance on my own, I can race the clock by myself for free, (let’s face it, I’m not winning any medals, so it’s always a race against myself and the clock.) The whistle blows, the gun goes off, someone shouts “GO” and we all start running: that’s the moment I remember why I do this.

The first 2 or 3 miles I feel like I’m being pulled forward by an invisible current. All the runner’s footsteps, the shouts of volunteers and supporters remind me why we do this, why we train so hard all winter for one day. We do it to feel that pull, to be supported and cheered on by strangers. Everyone is doing the same thing with different goals in mind. It’s a day to celebrate what we dedicated to finish way back a few months ago.

Then mile 9 hits. This is my tough mile, this is when I start questioning myself, wondering, again, why I put my feet, knees, calves…through this. Inevitably my big toes start to get blisters, my hip generally begins to ache and I begin to doubt my ability to finish. At this point in the race I hear behind me “Keep it up! Power up this hill guys, you can do it!!!” it’s the 8:30 pacers (you guys were awesome!!) They were catching up and I didn’t want them to, so I listened—I powered up the hill. “This is what we trained for on those cold mornings!! You got it!” he was talking directly to me, I thought.

Again, I’m reminded why I race. Camaraderie. At about mile 11 I see a friend and we run together for a few miles, chat, catch up, support and power through another 3 miles—at this point I tell her to go for it, I can’t keep her pace but thanks for the couple mile support and she pushes forward to meet her goal.

The final shoot to the end is the most powerful: hundreds of finished runners, volunteers, and supporters are cheering hard for ever-single-runner. It’s impossible to feel alone in this tunnel of human support, it’s impossible to feel as tired as you really are, adrenaline kicks back in and you fly to the finish where you are given a medal and water and food and high-fives from random fellow finishers! It’s one of the best feelings ever.

It doesn’t end there: in my tired haze search for my Dad who has warm clothes for me, while looking around I see friends that I didn’t know where running finish, I see friends that didn’t run but came out to support. They hug and don’t care about how sweaty and gross I am, a congratulatory hug is the best. My Dad finds me, and we find coffee and showers and a great lunch.

So why do I run races? I’m still not sure. Running is such a community effort, people do it for many reasons, each and every component is so important and appreciated. I think maybe that feeling of closeness to people I don’t even know, we pull each other through to the end, we high-five at the end, and then we talk about the hill on the 10^th mile and how lucky we are it didn’t rain, after the race is over we forget the pain we felt during the race.